Packaging System For At Least One Product Preparation Component, And Corresponding Method For Handling The Product Preparation Component

ABSTRACT

A packaging system for at least one product preparation component is disclosed. Said packaging system having a first container for storing a first product preparation component, a second container for storing at least one other product preparation component, and a closure device sealing off an opening of the first container from the surroundings by way of a closure element having a coupling device in order to couple the second container to the closure device and establishes a fluidic connection between the first container and the second container. Additionally, a method for handling at least one product preparation component is disclosed. The method ensures a reliable packaging system which allows a user-friendly handling of the contained product preparation components. This is achieved in that the closure element and the coupling device are joined together as separate components in a non-releasable manner to form the closure device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a packaging system for at least one productpreparation component, comprising a first container for storing a firstproduct preparation component, a second container for optionally storingat least one other product preparation component, and a closure devicewhich seals off an opening of the first container from the surroundingsby means of a closure element and has a coupling device in order tocouple the second container to the closure device and in order toestablish a fluidic connection between the first container and thesecond container. The invention also relates to a corresponding methodfor handling this product preparation component. Such packaging systemsare often used for the targeted mixing of initially separately storedfree-flowing product preparation components and are mainly used whentwo- or multi-component product preparations are used, in whichpreparations the individual preparation components are incompatible withone another due to their chemical composition or are highly chemicallyreactive and should therefore only be mixed shortly before they areactually used. Such multi-component product preparations and uses areknown in principle from, inter alia, the fields of cosmetics, medicine,food, and detergent and cleaning agents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For example, German utility model DE 29721872 U1 describes anarrangement for coupling two containers with the aim of the possiblemixing of fluids initially stored separately in the containers. Thecoupling arrangement described here serves, among other things, to mixindividual components of hair dyes, the individual components beingincompatible with one another and therefore having to be storedseparately from one another in separate containers until they areactually used. The mixing of the individual components to form theready-to-use hair dye then takes place immediately before use. For thispurpose, the coupling arrangement has two coupling elements, each ofwhich allows an associated container to be connected. The couplingelements each form a flow passage which is in fluidic connection withthe respective container interiors. In addition, the two flow passagesare aligned with one another within the coupling arrangement. Thecoupling arrangement also has a control element which is arranged in oneof the flow passages so as to be shiftable between a first and a secondposition. Depending on the position of the control element, the flowpassages can be open or closed. Therefore, depending on the position ofthe control element, a flow through the flow passages and thus theentire coupling arrangement is either made possible or prevented. Theflow passages are usually closed in the initial state of the couplingarrangement. To improve the sealing function, an additional plug is alsoprovided, which closes a flow passage in the initial state of thecoupling arrangement. During use, the plug is removed under the actionof the shiftable control element, so that the flow passages are clearedfor fluid to flow through.

WO 2007/111667 A2 describes another system comprising two containers forthe separate storage of two container contents, in which the differentcontainer contents can be mixed immediately before use by means of acoupling device connecting the two containers. For this purpose, thecoupling device has a valve arrangement which can be moved between aclosed and an open position. In the open valve position, a flow passagein the coupling device which forms a fluidic connection between the twocontainers is cleared. The two container contents can therefore be mixedin the open valve position.

Although the above-described packaging systems in principle allowseparate storage of different substances and the mixing thereofimmediately prior to actual use, they are functionally inadequate interms of the separate storage and efficient handling of the individualproduct preparation components. This is especially true when, forexample, highly chemically reactive or possibly hazardous substances arestored by means of a packaging system of this kind. In this respect, theaforementioned packaging systems are only suitable for handling veryspecific chemical substances.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the above in mind, the problem addressed by the invention is thatof providing a closed packaging system for at least one productpreparation component which allows the safe storage and handling ofproduct preparation components consisting of as many different chemicalsubstances as possible. In particular, the packaging system according tothe invention should allow the safe and user-friendly handling of highlychemically reactive or hazardous substances.

The problem is solved by a packaging system for at least one productpreparation component as disclosed herein. The entire packaging systemthen essentially comprises a first container for storing a first productpreparation component, a second container for optionally storing atleast one other product preparation component, and a multifunctionalclosure device. This closure device is able to seal off an opening ofthe first container from the surroundings by means of a closure element.In this way, above all, chemically reactive substances and hazardoussubstances can be safely stored in the first container. Due to thesealed closure of the first container, substance constituents from thefirst container cannot enter the surroundings, and environmentalconditions, for example air humidity or atmospheric oxygen, cannotnegatively affect the substance constituents inside the first containerdue to chemical reactions. The closure device also has a coupling devicein order to releasably couple the second container to the closure deviceand thereby establish a fluidic connection between the first containerand the second container. The closure device is designed such that afluidic connection between the first and second container, or in otherwords an opening in the first container, can only be achieved if theclosure device is completely coupled to the second container by means ofthe coupling device. Undesired discharge of the product preparationcomponent from the first container into the surroundings is effectivelyprevented in this way. In fact, the product preparation component canonly be discharged from the first container into the second containerafter coupling has taken place. In this case, the closure element andthe coupling device as originally separate components are non-releasablyjoined together to form the closure device. In this way, the closureelement and the coupling device can be particularly easily manufacturedindependently of one another in a suitable manner, for example byinjection molding, and can be advantageously handled in the joinedstate, i.e. as the closure device, as a common structural unit. Thejoining of the closure element and the coupling device can take place bymeans of a snap process or a comparable joining step. In this case, theclosure element and the coupling device are pressed together axiallywith respect to an axis of the closure device under the action of forceand are snap-fitted together in a substantially non-releasable manner.In this context, the non-releasable connection between the closureelement and the coupling device means that the two parts, once joined,cannot be released from one another in a non-destructive manner.

In the context of the present invention, the terms “product preparation”or “product preparation components” should in principle be understood tomean free-flowing and/or pourable substances. This includes both allliquid, gel, pasty, or comparable high-viscosity substances, whichgenerally have corresponding flow properties, and all powder,particulate, granular or comparable solid substances, which generallyhave corresponding flow or pouring properties. In this context, a“product preparation” or a “product preparation component” can each becomposed of both an individual chemical substance and a mixture ofsubstances.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the packaging system, theclosure element (and thus the entire closure device) is, excluding itsdestruction, non-releasably connected to the first container by means ofa fastening sleeve. “Non-releasable” in this context means that theclosure element or the fastening sleeve cannot be detached from thefirst container in a non-destructive manner. The non-releasableconnection between the fastening sleeve and the first container ispreferably achieved by snap-fitting or combined screwing/snap-fitting.In terms of joining, the fastening sleeve can be particularlyadvantageously snapped to the first container. Non-releasably connectedto the first container in such a manner, the closure device achieves anextremely reliable and sealed storage of the product preparationcomponent within the first container. This precludes both a consumerbeing able to open the first container and the product preparationcomponent unintentionally escaping from the first container into thesurroundings. Likewise, the product preparation component stored in thefirst container is reliably protected from undesirable environmentalinfluences, such as air humidity and/or atmospheric oxygen, as a resultof the sealed container closure. In this respect, such a packagingsystem also allows, inter alia, the storage and handling of highlychemically reactive and possibly hazardous substances in the firstcontainer.

A “container” in the context of the present invention should beunderstood to mean containers of various shapes, which have in commonthat the interior of the container is surrounded by a container wallwhich has an opening for discharging the container contents. Thecontainer opening can be cleared or closed by a suitable closureelement. Such containers can therefore have different designs. However,containers in the form of bottles, pouches, canisters, jars, tubes, orsimilar designs appear particularly suitable. With regard to thecontainer material, depending on the use-specific content, materialswhich ensure an adequate barrier effect from the surroundings,especially against atmospheric oxygen and humidity, due to theirphysical properties should be selected in order to protect the containercontents. Furthermore, the container material should be designed so asto be sufficiently inert with regard to its chemical-physical reactivitywith the container contents. Glass, suitable plastics such as PP orPTFE, or materials with comparable properties have proven to be suitablecontainer materials that best meet the stated requirements.

With regard to the choice of material for the closure device, similarconditions apply as for the container: the material of the closuredevice is preferably designed in such a way that the closure device alsohas an adequate barrier effect, above all against atmospheric oxygen andhumidity, and is chemically inert to the container contents. Glass,suitable plastics such as PP or PTFE, or materials with comparableproperties have proven to be suitable closure materials that best meetthe stated requirements.

In order to further improve the packaging system, the closure elementcomprises a cap for closing the first container, which cap is connectedto the fastening sleeve of the closure element via a predeterminedbreaking point in the initial state of the closure device. The cap is inprinciple designed in such a way that it can close or also clear theopening for releasing the container contents from the first container.In the closed container state, the cap abuts the first container in sucha way that the opening is completely covered and thus closed. To openthe first container, the cap must be at least partially releasedtherefrom. For this purpose, starting from the initial state of theclosure device, the cap is separated from the fastening sleeve, which isnon-releasably connected to the first container, at the predeterminedbreaking point in order to achieve a use state. After separation, thecap can be moved relative to the fastening sleeve or to the firstcontainer. The cap can then also be released from the first container byrelative movement in order to clear the container opening. Theconnection of the cap to the fastening sleeve via a predeterminedbreaking point thus forms a kind of tamper-evident closure whichadvantageously signals the unused initial state of the first containerwith the closure device.

A useful embodiment of the packaging system with a corresponding closuredevice is achieved by arranging the cap in such a way that it can beshifted relative to the coupling device axially with respect to an axisof the closure device and such that it is secured against rotation aboutthe axis. The axis extends essentially centrally through thesubstantially cylindrical or sleeve-shaped basic structure of theclosure device. Of course, the corresponding arrangement of the cap withrespect to the closure device only applies to a limited extent to theinitial state of the closure device, where the cap is preferablyintegrally connected to the fastening sleeve via the predeterminedbreaking point. That is to say, in the initial state, the cap is fixedlyconnected to the fastening sleeve of the closure device so that said capcannot be moved axially or rotated relative to said sleeve. Moreover, inthe use state, i.e. after separation from the fastening sleeve, the capis arranged so as to be axially movable and to a limited extentrotatable relative to the fastening sleeve. Compared with the couplingdevice, the cap is continuous, i.e. arranged so as to be axiallyshiftable but secured against rotation both in the initial state and inthe use state of the closure device. As a result of this specificarrangement, there is a unique interaction between the fastening sleeve,the cap, and the coupling device in the course of coupling the twocontainers, which is created by the movement of the individualcomponents relative to one another. Specifically, since it is securedagainst rotation relative to the coupling device, the cap follows therotational movement of said coupling device. As a result, the cap canalso be separated from the fastening sleeve at the predeterminedbreaking point when it is used, i.e. when it rotates relative to thefastening sleeve. Even after the cap has been separated from thefastening sleeve, the cap follows the rotational movement, with the capthen being movable axially both relative to the fastening sleeve andrelative to the coupling device.

Another embodiment of the packaging system results from the couplingdevice having a thread for screwing to the second container. In thisway, the coupling device is screwed to the second container duringcoupling by the interaction of corresponding thread portions on thecoupling device and the second container. This allows a particularlyuser-friendly coupling of the two containers. In an advantageous variantof the packaging system, the fastening sleeve and the coupling deviceeach have at least one mutually corresponding rotation stop element,which allows the relative rotation of the fastening sleeve and thecoupling device about the axis of the closure device only until thecorresponding rotation stop elements abut one another. The mutuallycorresponding rotation stop elements on the fastening sleeve and thecoupling device fundamentally limit the relative rotation between thefastening sleeve and the coupling device to a range of rotation ofapproximately 360°, i.e. approximately one revolution. The respectiverotation elements are preferably designed as ribs, shoulders,projections, or other comparable rotationally effective stop elements.Overall, the mutually corresponding rotation stop elements serve toallow the basic transmission of torque between the fastening sleeve andthe coupling device during use, specifically when two correspondingrotation stop elements abut one another. The fastening sleeve and thecoupling device can also be rotated relative to one another to a limitedextent.

According to a further developed embodiment of the packaging system,either the fastening sleeve or the coupling device has at least tworotation stop elements which interact with the at least onecorresponding rotation stop of the coupling device or the fasteningsleeve in such a way that an initial stop and an end stop for therelative rotation between the fastening sleeve and the coupling deviceabout the axis of the closure device is formed. In continuation of thevariant with only one rotation stop element on each of the fasteningsleeve and the coupling device, arranging two rotation stop elements onat least the fastening sleeve or the coupling device limits the relativerotation between the two components to an exactly defined range ofrotation. In this case, the two rotation stop elements interact with theat least one corresponding rotation stop element on the other componentand form an initial stop and an end stop for the relative rotationbetween the fastening sleeve and the coupling device. In this way, therange of values for the relative rotation between the fastening sleeveand the coupling device can be set exactly to a rotation angle of lessthan 360°. Preferable ranges of values for rotation angles between theinitial stop and end stop have been shown to be approximately 0-180°,particularly preferably 0-90°. These limited rotation angle rangesultimately also determine the maximum possible rotation of the caprelative to the first container. In this respect, the maximum openingdimension of the cap or the maximum release position of the cap withrespect to the first container is also indirectly determined by thislimited rotation angle. That is to say, at the end stop of thecorresponding rotation stop elements, i.e. when the rotation angle upperlimit is reached, the maximum release position of the cap on the firstcontainer is also reached. Thus, by suitably setting the rotation angleupper limit, the cap can be reliably fixed so that it does not releasecompletely from the first container but is always in threaded engagementwith the first container in every use state of the packaging system.

In a useful embodiment of the packaging system, the cap is connected tothe first container via a thread which has a rotational directioncounter to that of the thread of the coupling device. This embodimentoffers the great use advantage that in the course of coupling the twocontainers by screwing the coupling device to the second container, aconstant rotational direction can be maintained in order to ultimatelyestablish the fluidic connection between the first and second container.For example, a clockwise thread is provided between the coupling deviceand the second container, while a counterclockwise thread is formedbetween the cap and the first container. It is thus possible, in thecourse of the coupling, to screw the first container with the closuredevice to the second container in a clockwise direction via the couplingdevice. In this case, the first container is therefore rotated togetherwith the closure device in a clockwise direction relative to the secondcontainer. If this relative rotation of the first and second containeris continued in a clockwise direction, not only will the coupling becompleted, but the cap will also be simultaneously separated from thefastening sleeve via the predetermined breaking point, and the cap willbe released from the first container due to the contradirectionalthread. In a very simple and user-friendly way, the contradirectionalthreads between the coupling device and the second container and betweenthe cap and the first container reliably couple the container and setthe fluidic connection between the first and second container as aresult of the opening of the first container.

According to a preferred variant of the packaging system, the cap has asubstantially pot-like basic structure with a bottom wall and acylindrical circumferential wall adjoining said bottom wall. In thiscase, at least one opening is provided in the circumferential wall ofthe cap, via which opening the fluidic connection between the mutuallycoupled containers is ultimately established when the cap issufficiently released. Ideally, a plurality of openings is provided inthe cap circumferential wall, which are ideally uniformly distributedover the circumference of the circumferential wall. The at least onewindow-like opening in the cap circumferential wall allows the fluidicconnection to be set even when the cap is only partially released fromthe first container. For this purpose, the opening in the capcircumferential wall is preferably positioned in the immediate vicinityof the cap base. Specifically, the clockwise relative rotation betweenthe first container or the fastening sleeve and the second container orthe coupling device including the cap, which is secured againstrotation, results in the cap being unscrewed from the first container.If the cap is sufficiently unscrewed but not completely released fromthe first container, then the opening in the cap circumferential wall iscleared such that the fluidic connection between the first and secondcontainer is established. In this state, the cap is partially releasedfrom the container, but is still connected to the first container viathe contradirectional thread. It is particularly useful in this contextfor the range of values for the relative rotation between the fasteningsleeve and the coupling device to be set using the mutuallycorresponding rotation stop elements in such a way that the cap can onlybe unscrewed from the first container until the opening in the capcircumferential wall is cleared. The initial stop and end stop of therelative rotation between the fastening sleeve and the coupling device,which stops are set via the position of the rotation stop elements, thusprevent the cap from unintentionally being completely unscrewed from thefirst container. Instead, the initial stop and end stop ensure apermanent threaded connection between the cap and the first container,regardless of the use state of the entire packaging system and theopening state of the first container.

In principle, the fluidic connection between the two coupled containersallows the reliable and loss-free transfer of the product preparationcomponent stored in the first container from the first to the secondcontainer, specifically via the corresponding openings in the firstcontainer and in the cap. At least in the case of free-flowing and/orcorrespondingly pourable product preparation components, as describedabove, the transfer generally takes place as a result of gravity andthus automatically, since the first container is held on top.Alternatively or in addition, the transfer of the product preparationcomponent can also be brought about by means of an external force actingon a deformable first container. This applies, for example, to apouch-like or tube-like first container in which the product preparationcomponent can be squeezed out of the first container for transfer to thesecond container.

In an alternative embodiment of the packaging system, another productpreparation component is stored in the second container to mix the firstproduct preparation component with the at least one other productpreparation component after coupling the second container to the firstcontainer by means of the closure device. For this purpose, the twoproduct preparation components initially stored separately from oneanother in the two containers are first brought together in the courseof the coupling of the containers, which brings about the formation ofthe fluidic connection, in order then to subsequently mix them to form amulti-component product preparation. The actual mixture is brought aboutby quick movement of the two coupled containers. For this purpose, thetwo coupled containers are shaken, tilted, rotated or the like by theuser. In principle, such multi-component product preparation mixtures,consisting of individual product preparation components that areinitially chemically incompatible with one another, are not uncommon.Examples of such multicomponent product preparation mixtures arecosmetic products, such as multi-component hair coloring products. Theadvantage of the present packaging system is its basic structure, whichis closed off from the surroundings. That is to say that by means of thepresent packaging system, highly chemically reactive substances orhazardous substances can also be safely handled as individual productpreparation components. Finally, a first product preparation componentcan only be transferred from the first container, optionally forsubsequent mixing with a further product preparation component, if ithas been coupled to an associated second container and the firstcontainer is opened as intended. Undesired escape of the first productpreparation component from the first container into the surroundings iseffectively avoided by means of the present multifunctional closuredevice.

According to a further useful embodiment of the packaging system, theclosure device can be coupled to the second container in a liquid-tightmanner. The closure device is then sealingly coupled to the secondcontainer by means of the coupling device in such a way that undesiredescape of one or more free-flowing and/or pourable product preparationcomponents into the surroundings is reliably avoided. A closed packagingsystem which reliably ensures that the user does not come into contactwith one of the product preparation components being handled is thusachieved.

A comparably further developed variant of the packaging system resultsfrom the closure device being provided with at least one sealing elementto ensure a liquid-tight connection to the first and/or secondcontainer. Sealing elements of this type can in principle have almostany geometrical design and, above all, have a sealing effect in theaxial and/or radial direction. In particular, the sealing elements canbe designed as a sealing ring, sealing lip or the like.

Protection is also sought for two alternative method instructions forhandling at least one product preparation component using a packagingsystem described above.

A first method alternative is used for the secure transfer of at leastone product preparation component from a first container into a secondcontainer using a packaging system as described above. The packagingsystem here comprises a first container for storing at least one firstproduct preparation component, an opening in the first container beingsealed off from the surroundings by means of a closure element of theclosure device which is fixedly connected to the first container. Theclosure element also comprises a cap which, in the initial state of theclosure device, is connected to a fastening sleeve of the closureelement via a predetermined breaking point. Closed in this way, thefirst container cannot be opened manually by the user. Furthermore, theclosure device has a coupling device in order to couple the secondcontainer to the closure device and in principle to be able to establisha fluidic connection between the first container and the secondcontainer. The closure element and the coupling device, as initiallyseparate components, are non-releasably joined together to form theclosure device. In this context, non-releasable means that the twocomponents cannot be separated from one another in a non-destructivemanner after the joining process. Furthermore, the coupling device isshiftable relative to the closure device axially with respect to an axisof the closure device and is arranged so as to be secured againstrotation about the axis. In addition, the coupling device has a threadfor screwing to the second container. For such a packaging system, thefollowing method sequence proves to be useful in order to safelytransfer the product preparation component from the first container intothe second container without undesired escape into the surroundings.Firstly, the first container is attached to the second container bymeans of the closure device, specifically by bringing correspondingthreads on the coupling device and on the second container intoengagement. The closure device is then screwed onto the second containerby means of the coupling device until a coupling end position is reachedbetween the coupling device and the second container. The coupling endposition describes a state in which the coupling device is completelyscrewed onto the second container by means of the thread. Moreover, thecoupling device cannot be screwed any further onto the second container,and thus forms a stationary structural unit with the second container,at least temporarily. Therefore, not only the closure device itself, butalso the first container, which is non-releasably connected thereto, iscoupled to the second container at the same time. The relative rotationbetween the first container or the closure device and the secondcontainer, which has already been used to screw on the closure device,is then continued. This means that the first container, together withthe closure element, is further rotated relative to the second containerwhile maintaining the clockwise screwing direction of the couplingdevice. The cap, which is initially connected to the fastening sleevevia the predetermined breaking point and which is secured againstrotation relative to the coupling device, is separated from the closureelement or the fastening sleeve at the predetermined breaking point. Theseparation of the cap at the predetermined breaking point takes placehere due to the fact that, with continued relative rotation between thetwo coupled containers, the fastening sleeve follows the movement of thefirst container, while the coupling device, together with the cap,follows the movement of the second container. After separation of thecap from the fastening sleeve, the relative rotation between the firstcontainer or the fastening sleeve and the second container with thecoupling device is continued while maintaining the rotational direction.The now-separated cap is connected to the first container by means of athread which has a rotational direction contradirectional to that of thethread of the coupling device. The cap is thus simultaneously unscrewedfrom the first container when the relative rotation continues and as aresult of the contradirectional cap thread. The thread between thecoupling device and the second container is designed to be clockwise,while the thread between the cap and the first container is designed tobe counterclockwise, for example. Of course, the opposite rotationaldirection is also conceivable for both threads, but it is crucial forthe two threads to be oriented in opposite directions to one another. Asa result of the continued relative rotation, the cap is now unscrewedfrom the first container at least to the extent that at least oneopening in a circumferential wall of the pot-like cap is cleared. Sinceit overlaps with the opening of the first container, this cap openingbrings about a fluidic connection between the first and the secondcontainer. After the fluidic connection between the two containers hasbeen set, the transfer of the at least one product preparation componentfrom the first to the second container can then also take place. Such atransfer of the product preparation component preferably takes place asa result of gravity, the first container being arranged on top when thecontainers are coupled. In addition, the product transfer, especially inthe case of a flexibly designed first container, can be supported by theaction of external forces on the first container. This preferablyapplies to tube-shaped or pouch-like first containers.

In principle, the method described above is suitable for handling almostall conceivable product preparation components. However, due to theclosed functionality of the packaging system with the possibility ofproduct transfer only after the two associated containers have beenproperly coupled, it is particularly advantageous to use it inconnection with highly chemically reactive or possibly hazardoussubstances. The method described above can also be used universally in awide variety of fields of application. Purely by way of example, thetransfer method according to the invention could be advantageously used,inter alia, with any type of substance addition, with refillingprocesses from refill containers, with the addition of additives andwith comparable substance transfer processes.

A second method alternative serves not only to safely transfer at leastone product preparation component from a first container to a secondcontainer, but also to subsequently mix the first product preparationcomponent with another product preparation component stored in thesecond container to form a multi-component product preparation. Apackaging system as described above is also used here. The packagingsystem here comprises a first container for storing at least one firstproduct preparation component, an opening in the first container beingsealed off from the surroundings by means of a closure element of theclosure device which is fixedly connected to the first container. Theclosure element also comprises a cap which, in the initial state of theclosure device, is connected to a fastening sleeve of the closureelement via a predetermined breaking point. Closed in this way, thefirst container cannot be opened manually by the user. The packagingsystem also comprises a second container for storing at least one otherproduct preparation component. Furthermore, the closure device has acoupling device in order to couple the second container to the closuredevice and in principle to be able to establish a fluidic connectionbetween the first container and the second container. The closureelement and the coupling device, as initially separate components, arenon-releasably joined together to form the closure device. In thiscontext, non-releasable means that the two components cannot beseparated from one another in a non-destructive manner after the joiningprocess. Furthermore, the coupling device is shiftable relative to theclosure device axially with respect to an axis of the closure device andis arranged so as to be secured against rotation about the axis. Inaddition, the coupling device has a thread for screwing to the secondcontainer. For such a packaging system, the following method sequenceproves to be useful in order to safely transfer the product preparationcomponent from the first container into the second container withoutundesired escape into the surroundings, and to mix said component withthe further product preparation component in said second container toform a multi-component product preparation. Firstly, the first containeris attached to the second container by means of the closure device,specifically by bringing corresponding threads on the coupling deviceand on the second container into engagement. The closure device is thenscrewed onto the second container by means of the coupling device untila coupling end position is reached between the coupling device and thesecond container. The coupling end position describes a state in whichthe coupling device is completely screwed onto the second container bymeans of the thread. Moreover, the coupling device cannot be screwed anyfurther onto the second container, and thus forms a stationarystructural unit with the second container, at least temporarily.Therefore, not only the closure device itself, but also the firstcontainer, which is non-releasably connected thereto, is coupled to thesecond container at the same time. The relative rotation between thefirst container or the closure device and the second container, whichhas already been used to screw on the closure device, is then continued.This means that the first container, together with the closure element,is further rotated relative to the second container while maintainingthe clockwise screwing direction of the coupling device. The cap, whichis initially connected to the fastening sleeve via the predeterminedbreaking point and which is secured against rotation relative to thecoupling device, is separated from the closure element or the fasteningsleeve at the predetermined breaking point. The separation of the cap atthe predetermined breaking point takes place here due to the fact that,with continued relative rotation between the two coupled containers, thefastening sleeve follows the movement of the first container, while thecoupling device, together with the cap, follows the movement of thesecond container. After separation of the cap from the fastening sleeve,the relative rotation between the first container or the fasteningsleeve and the second container with the coupling device is continuedwhile maintaining the rotational direction. The now-separated cap isconnected to the first container by means of a thread which has arotational direction contradirectional to that of the thread of thecoupling device. The cap is thus simultaneously unscrewed from the firstcontainer when the relative rotation continues and as a result of thecontradirectional cap thread. The thread between the coupling device andthe second container is designed to be clockwise, while the threadbetween the cap and the first container is designed to becounterclockwise, for example. Of course, the opposite rotationaldirection is also conceivable for both threads, but it is crucial forthe two threads to be oriented in opposite directions to one another. Asa result of the continued relative rotation, the cap is now unscrewedfrom the first container at least to the extent that at least oneopening in a circumferential wall of the pot-like cap is cleared. Sinceit overlaps with the opening of the first container, this cap openingbrings about a fluidic connection between the first and the secondcontainer. After the fluidic connection between the two containers hasbeen set, the transfer of the at least one product preparation componentfrom the first to the second container can then also take place. Such atransfer of the product preparation component preferably takes place asa result of gravity, the first container being arranged on top when thecontainers are coupled. In addition, the product transfer, especially inthe case of a flexibly designed first container, can be supported by theaction of external forces on the first container. This preferablyapplies to tube-shaped or pouch-like first containers. After the firstproduct preparation component has been transferred to the secondcontainer, the multiple product preparation components can then be mixedin the second container to form a multi-component product preparation.Mixing is preferably carried out with a suitable movement of the twocoupled containers, for example by means of shaking, tilting, rotating,or comparable movements. In particular, the mixing process of themultiple product preparation components is carried out with a continuousfluidic connection between the two containers. This not only bringsabout very homogeneous mixing of the different product preparationcomponents, but also ensures complete mixing of the product preparationcomponents to form the multi-component product preparation. This ensuresthat the stored quantities of the individual product preparationcomponents actually flow completely into the multi-component productpreparation mixture. In this respect, it is simultaneously guaranteedthat, by mixing the complete quantities of product preparationcomponents, a defined and therefore often intended mixing ratio betweenthe individual product preparation components is maintained.

Furthermore, in the context of this second method alternative, thespecific design of the closed packaging system also ensures particularlysafe handling of the individual product preparation components, whichmay be critical for the user. In principle, the above-described mixingmethod is suitable for handling a large number of different productpreparation components that are to be further processed to form amixture. Above all, such a mixing method is useful for individualproduct preparation components which are highly chemically reactive withone another or with respect to environmental parameters and which haveto be kept separate from one another until they are actually used.Multi-component cosmetic products, such as hair coloring products, areexamples of such uses. Even substances which, considered individually,may be hazardous, can be advantageously and safely handled by means ofthe mixing method due to the closed design of the packaging system. Themixing method described above can also be used universally in a widevariety of fields of application.

According to a particularly advantageous development of the twoaforementioned method alternatives, the method steps for coupling andreleasing the cap from the first container while simultaneouslyestablishing the fluidic connection between the first and secondcontainer can be carried out reversibly. When the relative rotationaldirection which is used to couple the two containers is reversed, thetwo containers can analogously be decoupled again in the reverse orderof the corresponding individual method steps already described above. Inprinciple, a reversal of the relative rotational direction between thetwo coupled and fluidically connected containers initially results inthe cap being tightened on the first container. At the same time, theaxial movement of the cap relative to the first container closes the atleast one opening in the cap circumferential wall, whereby the fluidicconnection between the two containers is removed and the first containeris immediately closed again. When the cap is completely screwed onto thefirst container, the coupling device is unscrewed from the secondcontainer, specifically until the coupling device can be completelyreleased from the second container again, when the reverse relativerotation is continued. Such a reversible method opens up the possibilityof repeating the coupling process, the fluidic connection process, thetransfer of a product preparation component, and optionally the mixingof a plurality of product preparation components by means of thepackaging system according to the invention as often as desired.Furthermore, with appropriately finely divided control of the openingand closing process of the cap, the amount of transferred productpreparation component can be influenced in a targeted manner, so thatessentially a type of metering system for the first product preparationcomponent is brought about by means of the packaging system. Thisadvantageously results in expanded fields of application for such apackaging system. For example, it is conceivable to dispense only acertain amount of the product preparation component from the firstcontainer into the second container during each coupling process. Inthis way, depending on the use, it is also conceivable to meter definedquantities of the product preparation component from the firstcontainer. In any case, such a reversible sequence of the disclosedmethod steps is possible both with a transfer method and with a mixingmethod.

Another useful embodiment of the two mentioned method variants resultsfrom the fact that the relative rotation between the fastening sleeveand the coupling device about the axis of the closure device is limitedto a range of rotation of less than 360° by mutually correspondingrotation stop elements being provided on the fastening sleeve and thecoupling device, which rotation stop elements allow a relative rotationonly between an initial stop position and an end stop position of thecorresponding rotation stop elements. As already described, the tworotation stop elements interact with the at least one correspondingrotation stop element on the other component and form an initial stopand an end stop for the relative rotation between the fastening sleeveand the coupling device. In this way, the range of values for therelative rotation between the fastening sleeve and the coupling devicecan be set exactly to a rotation angle of less than 360°. Preferableranges of values for rotation angles between the initial stop and endstop have been shown to be approximately 0-180°, particularly preferably0-90°. These limited rotation angle ranges ultimately also determine themaximum possible rotation of the cap relative to the first container. Inthis respect, the maximum opening dimension of the cap or the maximumrelease position of the cap with respect to the first container is alsoindirectly determined by this limited rotation angle. That is to say, atthe end stop of the corresponding rotation stop elements, i.e. when therotation angle upper limit is reached, the maximum release position ofthe cap on the first container is also reached. Thus, by suitablysetting the rotation angle upper limit, the cap can be reliably fixed sothat it does not release completely from the first container but isalways in threaded engagement with the first container in every usestate of the packaging system. In order to ensure that the cap is openedsufficiently wide within the rotation angle ranges limited by therotation stop elements, in particular in order to establish a sufficientfluidic connection, the thread between the cap and the first containermust also be designed accordingly. Specifically, not only is the threaddesigned to be contradirectional to the thread between the couplingdevice and the second container with regard to its rotational direction,but the thread pitch is also selected so as to be significantly higherthan that of the thread between the coupling device and the secondcontainer. Due to the high thread pitch of the thread between the capand the first container, the cap moves a sufficient distance in theaxial direction to sufficiently clear the radially oriented openings inthe cap circumferential wall, despite the limited relative rotation. Thedesign of the thread pitch, which is optimized in this respect, thusultimately results in a sufficient axial opening movement or closingmovement within the initial stop or end stop of the relative rotationbetween the closure element and the coupling device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features of the invention are also explained below with referenceto the embodiment shown in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the individual components of the packagingsystem in a perspective view;

FIG. 2 shows the closure device according to FIG. 1 in two perspectiveviews;

FIG. 3 shows the closure device according to FIG. 1 in two differentoperating states in two sectional views;

FIG. 4 shows the packaging system according to FIG. 1 in two differentoperating states in two sectional views.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4 illustrates a packaging system 1comprising a first container 10 for storing a first product preparationcomponent (not shown here) and a second container 20 for optionallystoring at least one other, second product preparation component (notshown here either). The packaging system 1 shown is used for thecontrolled and safe transfer of the first product preparation componentfrom the first container 10 to the second container 20. If there isanother, second product preparation component in the second container20, the two product preparation components can also advantageously bemixed to form a multi-component product preparation.

In addition to the two containers 10, 20, the packaging system 1 alsocomprises a multifunctional closure device 3 which seals off the firstcontainer 10 from the surroundings in the initial state by means of aclosure element 40. For the reliable closure of the first container 10,the closure element 40 first comprises a fastening sleeve 41 which, inthe ready-to-use state, is connected to the first container 10 in anon-destructive and non-releasable manner. For this purpose, thefastening sleeve 41 is preferably snap-fitted to the first container 10,or is both screwed and snap-fitted. In any case, the fastening sleeve41, which is non-releasably connected to the first container 10, issecured to the first container 10 so as to be axially and rotationallyfixed with respect to an axis 4 of the closure device 3. In addition tothe fastening sleeve 41, the closure element 40 has a substantiallypot-shaped cap 45 which, in the ready-to-use state, seals off an opening11 in the first container 10. For this purpose, the cap 45 has a bottomwall 47 comprising an annular sealing plug 48 which is able to close theopening 11 of the first container 10 with a precise fit. This reliablyprevents undesired escape of the first product preparation componentfrom the first container into the surroundings.

The closure device 3 also has a coupling device 30 in order to couplethe second container 20 to the closure device 3 and thus indirectly tothe first container 10 and in order to establish a fluidic connectionbetween the first container 10 and the second container 20 with theinterposition of the closure device 3. For this purpose, the couplingdevice 30 has an annular basic structure with a thread 31 which isintended to engage with a corresponding thread 21 on the secondcontainer 20. The coupling device 30 also has an inner sleeve 32 whichcan interact with the cap 45 in an interlocking manner.

In principle, the two components of the closure device 3, namely theclosure element 40 and the coupling device 30, are initially designed asseparate components, which has the advantage that they can easily bemanufactured independently of one another, for example by means ofinjection molding. When used, the closure element 40 and the couplingdevice 30 are joined together in a non-destructive and non-releasablemanner to form the closure device 3. This is preferably done by means ofa snap connection, in which the closure element 40 and the couplingdevice 30 are axially snap-fitted to one another. After snap-fitting,the closure element 40 and the coupling device 30, as can also be seenin FIGS. 2-4 in particular, are non-releasably joined together to formthe closure device 3, so that the closure device 3 can subsequently behandled very easily. At the same time, the closure element 40 and thecoupling device 30 are joined within the closure device 3 in such a waythat a limited relative rotation of the closure element 40 and couplingdevice 30 about the axis 4 is possible in principle. For this purpose,mutually corresponding rotation stop elements 33, 43 are provided on theclosure element 40 and on the coupling device 30, which elements, whenthey interact, limit the relative rotation between the closure element40 and the coupling device 30 to a rotation angle range of less than360° during use. This corresponds to a range of rotation of less than afull revolution. In this case, the rotation stop elements 33, 43 arepreferably designed as radial ribs or projections, but can also have anyother suitable geometric design. According to a particularly preferredembodiment, as in the embodiment shown (see FIG. 2), a plurality ofrotation stop elements 33, 43 is distributed over the circumference ofthe closure element 40 and/or the coupling device 30. As a result, therotation angle range for the relative rotation between the closureelement 40 and the coupling device 30 is limited even further, forexample to rotation angle range of up to 180°, particularly preferablyof up to 90°. The desired degree of permitted relative rotation betweenthe closure element 40 and the coupling device 30 can thus be set in avery targeted manner via the position of the rotation stop elements 33,43 distributed on the circumference. Above all, the interaction ofseveral rotation stop elements 33, 43 distributed around thecircumference allows the initial stop and end stop positions between theclosure element 40 and the coupling device 30 to be fixed in a definedmanner. This means that the defined relative rotation between theclosure element 40 and the coupling device 30 is limited to a set,limited rotation angle range between the initial rotation stop and endrotation stop.

As already mentioned, in the initial state of the packaging system 1,the closure device 3 is non-releasably attached to the first container10, which is filled with the first product preparation component.Furthermore, in this initial state, as can be seen from FIG. 2, theclosure element 40 and the coupling device 30 are arranged with respectto one another in such a way that the cap 45 extends into the innersleeve 32 of the coupling device 30 in an interlocking manner. As aresult, the cap 45 is fixed on the coupling device 30 so as to besecured against rotation about the closure device axis 4, such that thecap 45 follows every rotation of the coupling device 30 about the axis4.

Furthermore, the cap 45 has a substantially pot-shaped basic structure,specifically comprising a bottom wall 47 which, in the initial state,covers the opening 11 of the first container 10, and a circumferentialwall 49 which extends around the axis 4. A plurality of radiallyoriented openings 51 is provided in the circumferential wall 49 (threein the present embodiment), such that the bottom wall 48 is integrallyconnected to the circumferential wall 49 via three bridges 50.Furthermore, the cap 45 is integrally connected to the fastening sleeve41 via a predetermined breaking point 52 in the initial state. In thepresent embodiment, the predetermined breaking point 52 comprises aplurality of point-like connecting bridges which are distributed overthe cap circumference and each extend between the fastening sleeve 41and the cap circumferential wall 49. Of course, other suitable designsof the predetermined breaking point are also conceivable within themeaning of the invention.

To improve the sealing effect, the closure device 3 preferably comprisesat least one sealing element 34, 48, 53, 54, which acts within theclosure device 3 itself or between the closure device and the firstand/or second container 10, 20. In the embodiment of the closure device3 shown in FIGS. 1-4, a plurality of sealing elements 34, 48, 53, 54 isprovided, which elements are preferably designed as sealing lips,sealing rings, annular sealing plugs, or the like. These sealingelements 34, 48, 53, 54 jointly prevent the undesired escape of aproduct preparation component from one of the containers 10, 20 into thesurroundings, and form a barrier to prevent environmental influences,such as atmospheric oxygen and air humidity, from adversely affectingthe product preparation components.

In general, such a substantially closed packaging system 1 can be usedin a particularly versatile manner for storing and handling a widevariety of product preparation components or other chemical substances.In particular, the packaging system 1 allows the user to handle theproduct preparation components in the container in a completelycontact-free manner. Essentially, the packaging system 1 allows both theuser-friendly transfer of a first product preparation component from thefirst container 10 to a second container 20 and the optional subsequentmixing of the first product preparation component with another, secondproduct preparation component originally contained in the secondcontainer 20. The two essential handling alternatives of the packagingsystem 1 are explained below in more detail, although the embodiment ofa packaging system 1 shown is preferably designed for mixing of amulti-component product preparation.

The process of the container coupling for handling the first productpreparation component stored at least in the first container 10 isprimarily illustrated in FIGS. 3-4. To couple the two containers 10, 20,the first container 10 with the closure device 3 non-releasably attachedthereto is first placed upside-down on the second container 20. This canbe seen at least in principle from FIG. 4 (left-hand illustration). Inthis initial state, the cap 45 is completely screwed onto the firstcontainer 10 via the mutual threaded connection 12, 46, so that theopening 11 of the first container 10 is sealed off by means of theannular sealing plug 48. At the same time, the mutually correspondingthreads 21, 31 on the second container 20 and on the coupling device 30are attached to one another. The first container 10 is then rotatedtogether with the closure device 3 in a clockwise direction relative tothe second container 20. The coupling device 30 is screwed via thethread 31 thereof (which is clockwise in this embodiment) onto thecorresponding thread 21 on the second container 20. At this stage, thereis no relative rotation between the closure element 40 and the couplingdevice 30, since a relative rotation in this rotational direction isprevented by the corresponding interaction of corresponding rotationstop elements 33, 43. The relative rotation between the first container10 or the closure device 3 and the second container 20 is continueduntil a coupling end position is reached, which is illustrated in theleft-hand illustration in FIG. 4. The coupling device 30 is thencompletely screwed onto the second container 20 so that it is no longerpossible to turn the coupling device 30 clockwise and the couplingdevice 30 forms a stationary structural unit with the second container20, at least at this stage. In this coupling end position, the couplingdevice 30 thus follows the further movement of the second container 20in the course of the continuation of the container coupling. Afterreaching the coupling end position, in which the two containers 10, 20are fundamentally coupled to one another, but there is still no fluidicconnection between the containers 1, 20, the relative rotation betweenthe first container 10 or the closure device 3 and the second container20 in the clockwise direction, which has already been used to screw onthe closure device 3, is continued. This means that the first container10, together with the closure element 40, is further rotated relative tothe second container 20 while maintaining the clockwise screwingdirection of the coupling device 30. In the course of this continuedrotary movement, the cap 45, which is initially connected to thefastening sleeve 41 via the predetermined breaking point 52 and which isarranged so as to be secured against rotation relative to the couplingdevice 30, is separated from the closure element 40 or the fasteningsleeve 41 at the predetermined breaking point 52. The separation of thecap 45 at the predetermined breaking point 52 takes place here due tothe fact that, with continued relative rotation between the two coupledcontainers 10, 20, the fastening sleeve 41 follows the rotary movementof the first container 10, while the coupling device 30, together withthe cap 45, follows the rotary movement of the second container 20. Whena defined torque threshold is exceeded, this leads to the predeterminedbreaking point 52 being broken. In this context, it should be noted thatthe torque required to break the predetermined breaking point 52 isalways greater than the torque required to screw the coupling device 30onto the second container 20. This is the only way to maintain thedesired sequence of the individual method steps when coupling the twocontainers 10, 20.

After the cap 45 has been separated from the fastening sleeve 41, therelative rotation between the first container 10 with the fasteningsleeve 41 and the second container 20 with the coupling device 30 iscontinued while maintaining the previous rotational direction. Thenow-separated cap 45 is connected to a corresponding thread 12 on thefirst container 10 by means of a thread 46, the corresponding threads12, 46 on the first container 10 and the cap 45 having a rotationaldirection that is contradirectional to that of the corresponding threads21, 31 on the second container 20 or the coupling device 30. The cap 45is thus simultaneously unscrewed from the first container 10 when therelative rotation between the two containers 10, 20 continues and as aresult of the contradirectional cap thread. For example, mutuallycorresponding threads 21, 31 on the second container 20 and on thecoupling device 30 are designed to be clockwise, while the mutuallycorresponding threads 12, 46 on the first container 10 and the cap 45are designed to be counterclockwise. Of course, the opposite rotationaldirection is also conceivable for the respective threads 21, 31, 12, 46,but it is crucial for the mutually corresponding thread pairs 21, 31,12, 46 to be oriented in opposite directions to one another. As a resultof the continued relative rotation, the cap 45 is now unscrewed from thefirst container 10 at least to the extent that at least one opening 51in a circumferential wall 49 of the pot-like cap 45 is cleared. Aplurality of openings 51 is preferably distributed over thecircumference of the circumferential wall; in the present embodiment,three openings 51 are formed in the cap circumferential wall 49. Sincethey overlap with the opening 11 of the first container 10, these capopenings 51 bring about a fluidic connection between the first container10 and the second container 20. This state, with the fluidic connectionestablished between the containers 10, 20, is illustrated in particularby FIGS. 3-4, in each case on the right-hand side. After the fluidicconnection between the two containers 10, 20 has been set, the transferof the at least one product preparation component from the firstcontainer 10 to the second container 20 can then also take place. Such atransfer of the free-flowing and/or pourable product preparationcomponent (not shown here) preferably takes place as a result ofgravity, the first container 10 being arranged on top when thecontainers are coupled. In addition, the product transfer, especially inthe case of a flexibly designed first container 10, can be supported bythe action of external forces on the first container 10. This preferablyapplies to first containers 10 which are designed in the shape of a tubeor pouch.

The above-described method for handling the packaging system 1 accordingto the invention also reveals its decisive advantage. Due to the closedstructure of the packaging system 1 with respect to the surroundings,safe handling of the product preparation components contained in thecontainers 10, 20 can be guaranteed under all circumstances. Manualremoval of the contents from the first container 10 alone is thereforenot possible because of the closure device 3, which is fastened in anon-destructive and non-releasable manner. Instead, in the initial stateof the first container 10, the cap 45 (as can be seen in FIG. 2) isprotected from manual access from the outside because it is interlockingembedded in the inner sleeve 32 of the coupling device 30. The cap 45consequently cannot be released from the first container 10 without theclosure device 3 interacting with the associated second container 20.Due to the interaction described above, the cap 45 can only be releasedfrom the opening 11 of the first container 10 in the event of couplingwith the associated second container 20. A fluidic connection of thefirst container 10 is thus exclusively limited to the correspondingsecond container 20. An undesired fluidic connection between the firstcontainer 10 and the surroundings is precluded by the specific design ofthe packaging system. The packaging system 1 is thus not onlyadvantageously tamper-proof, but also brings about the transfer of theproduct preparation components only within the closed packaging system1. In this way, for example, undesirable spillage of substances duringthe transfer from one container to another can be avoided. Ultimately,the closed packaging system 1 prevents any contact between the user andthe product preparation components contained therein in every use state.

The procedure described above for coupling the two containers 10, 20 andfor establishing a fluidic connection between the containers 10, 20 byopening the cap 45 is not solely for transferring a first productpreparation component from the first container 10 to the secondcontainer 20. It is alternatively conceivable to also use the packagingsystem described above for mixing a multi-component product preparation.For this purpose, a first product preparation component is initiallystored in the first container 10, while at least one other productpreparation component is stored in the second container 20. In theinitial state, the second container 20 is preferably closed off from thesurroundings by means of a removable closure (not shown here). If thetwo containers 10, 20 are coupled to one another according to the methodexplained above and the corresponding fluidic connection is established,the first product preparation component can generally be combined withthe other product preparation component in the second container 20. Thefirst product preparation component is transferred from the firstcontainer 10 to the second container 20 as described. The two productpreparation components can then be mixed with one another within thecoupled and fluidically connected containers 10, 20. For this purpose,the entire packaging system 1 with the coupled containers 10, 20 ispreferably shaken, tilted, or similarly moved in order to mix the twoproduct preparation components to form a multi-component productpreparation that is as homogeneous as possible by means of the movementdynamics. Ideally, the fluidic connection between the containers 10, 20is maintained during the mixing process, which increases the availablemixing space and ensures that both product preparation components areused in their full amount to produce the product preparation mixture.

In the use state of the packaging system 1 with coupled containers 10,20 and the fluidic connection established between the containers, asillustrated in FIGS. 3-4 (right-hand illustration in each case), it canalso be seen that the cap 45 is not fully released from the firstcontainer 10. The cap 45 is only released to the extent that the capopenings 51 are radially cleared in order to set the fluidic connectionbetween the containers 10, 20. In this cap position, the cap thread 46is still in engagement with the corresponding thread 12 on the firstcontainer 10. This cap position is preferably deliberately set above theaforementioned rotation stop elements 33, 43 on the coupling device 30and the closure element 40. The basic interaction between the initialstop position and end stop position for the relative rotation defined bythe rotation stop elements 33, 43 and the associated open and closedposition of the cap 45 has already been explained above. In particular,due to their interaction, the corresponding rotation stop elements 33,43 define an end stop for the relative rotation between the couplingdevice 30 and the closure element 40. Due to the fixed connection of thecoupling device 30 and the second container 20 and of the closureelement 40 and the first container 10 at this stage, this also bringsabout an end stop for the relative rotation between the containers 10,20. In particular, this end stop, with the cap 45 correspondingly onlypartially released from the first container, offers the advantage thatall essential method steps for coupling the containers 10, 20 and forestablishing the fluidic connection between the containers 10, 20 can bereversible. When the first relative rotational direction which is usedto couple the two containers 10, 20 is reversed, the two containers 10,20 can analogously be decoupled again in the reverse order of thecorresponding individual method steps already described above. Inprinciple, a reversal of the relative rotational direction between thetwo coupled and fluidically connected containers 10, 20 initiallyresults in the cap 45 being tightened on the first container 10. At thesame time, the axial movement of the cap 45 relative to the firstcontainer 10 closes the openings 51 in the cap circumferential wall 49,whereby the fluidic connection between the two containers 10, 20 isremoved and the first container 10 is immediately closed again. In thiscontext, it can be ensured by appropriately designing the respectivethread parameters between the cap 45 and the first container 10 andbetween the coupling device 30 and the second container 20 that thetorque required to tighten the cap 45 is set to be less than the torquerequired to unscrew the coupling device 30. When the cap 45 iscompletely screwed onto the first container 10, the coupling device 30is unscrewed from the second container 20, specifically until thecoupling device 30 can be completely released from the second container20 again, when the reverse relative rotation is continued. Such areversible method opens up the possibility of repeating the couplingprocess, the fluidic connection process, the transfer of a productpreparation component, and optionally the mixing of a plurality ofproduct preparation components by means of the packaging system 1according to the invention as often as desired. Furthermore, withappropriately finely divided control of the opening and closing processof the cap 45, the amount of transferred product preparation componentcan be influenced in a targeted manner, so that essentially a type ofmetering system for the first product preparation component is broughtabout by means of the packaging system. This advantageously results inexpanded fields of application for such a packaging system 1. Forexample, it is conceivable to dispense only a certain amount of theproduct preparation component from the first container 10 into thesecond container 20 during each coupling process. In this way, dependingon the use, defined discharge quantities of the product preparationcomponent can also be metered from the first container. In any case,such a reversible sequence of the aforementioned method steps ispossible both with a transfer method and with a mixing method.

In principle, the method described above is suitable for handling almostall conceivable free-flowing and/or pourable product preparationcomponents within the meaning of the invention. However, due to theclosed functionality of the packaging system 1 with the possibility ofproduct transfer only after the two associated containers 10, 20 havebeen properly coupled, it is particularly advantageous to use it inconnection with highly chemically reactive substances or substanceswhich, considered individually, may be hazardous. The method describedabove can also be used universally in a wide variety of fields ofapplication. Purely by way of example, the transfer method according tothe invention could be advantageously used, inter alia, with any type ofsubstance addition, with refilling processes from refill containers,with the addition of additives and with comparable substance transferprocesses.

Furthermore, the specific design of the closed packaging system 1ensures particularly safe handling of the individual product preparationcomponents, which may not be uncritical for the user, in the event thata multi-component product preparation mixture is produced. In principle,the above-described mixing method is suitable for handling a largenumber of different product preparation components that are to befurther processed to form a mixture. Above all, such a mixing method isuseful for individual product preparation components which are highlychemically reactive with one another and which have to be kept separatefrom one another until they are actually used. Multi-component cosmeticproducts, such as hair coloring products, are examples of such uses.Even substances which, considered individually, may be hazardous, can beadvantageously and safely handled by means of the mixing method due tothe closed design of the packaging system. The mixing method describedabove can also be used universally in a wide variety of fields ofapplication.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 packaging system3 closure device4 axis10 first container11 opening12 thread20 second container21 thread30 coupling device31 thread32 inner sleeve33 rotation stop element34 sealing element40 closure element41 fastening sleeve43 rotation stop element45 cap46 thread47 bottom wall48 sealing plug49 circumferential wall50 bridge51 opening52 predetermined breaking point53 sealing element54 sealing element

What is claimed is:
 1. A packaging system for at least one product preparation component, comprising a first container for storing a first product preparation component, a second container for optionally storing at least one other product preparation component, and a closure device which seals off an opening of the first container from the surroundings by means of a closure element and has a coupling device in order to couple the second container to the closure device and in order to establish a fluidic connection between the first container and the second container, wherein the closure element and the coupling device are joined together as separate components in a non-releasable manner in order to form the closure device.
 2. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the closure element, excluding its destruction, is connected to the first container in a non-releasable manner by means of a fastening sleeve.
 3. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the closure element comprises a cap which, in the initial state of the closure device, is connected to the fastening sleeve of the closure element via a predetermined breaking point.
 4. The packaging system according to claim 3, wherein the cap is arranged to be shiftable relative to the coupling device axially with respect to an axis of the closure device, and to be secured against rotation about the axis.
 5. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device has a thread for screwing to the second container.
 6. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the fastening sleeve and the coupling device each have at least one mutually corresponding rotation stop element which allows the relative rotation of the fastening sleeve and the coupling device about the axis of the closure device only until the corresponding rotation stop elements abut one another.
 7. The packaging system according to claim 6, wherein either the fastening sleeve or the coupling device has at least two rotation stop elements which interact with the at least one corresponding rotation stop element of the coupling device or the fastening sleeve in such a way that an initial stop and an end stop for the relative rotation between the fastening sleeve and the coupling device about the axis of the closure device is formed.
 8. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the cap is connected to the first container via a thread which has a rotational direction counter to that of the thread of the coupling device.
 9. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the cap has a pot-like basic structure, at least one opening being provided in the circumferential wall of the cap.
 10. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein another product preparation component is stored in the second container to mix the first product preparation component with the at least one other product preparation component after the second container has been coupled to the first container by means of the closure device.
 11. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the closure device can be coupled to the second container in a liquid-tight manner.
 12. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the closure device has at least one sealing element to ensure a liquid-tight connection to the first and/or second container.
 13. A method for transferring at least one product preparation component from a first container to a second container using a packaging system according to claim 1, characterized by the following method steps: a. attaching the first container to the second container by means of the closure device by bringing corresponding threads on the coupling device and on the second container into engagement, b. screwing the closure device to the second container by means of the coupling device up to the coupling end position between the coupling device and the second container, c. continuing the relative rotation between the first container or the closure element and the second container, the cap which is arranged to be secured against rotation relative to the coupling device being separated from the closure element at the predetermined breaking point, d. further continuing the relative rotation between the first container or the closure element and the second container, the separated cap being connected to the first container by means of a thread which has a rotational direction counter to that of the thread of the coupling device, and the cap thus being unscrewed from the first container, e. forming a fluidic connection between the first and second container via at least one cleared opening in a circumferential wall of the pot-like, at least partially unscrewed cap, f. transferring the product preparation component from the first to the second container.
 14. A method for mixing a multi-component product preparation using a packaging system according to claim 1 comprising a first container for storing a first product preparation component and a second container for storing at least one other product preparation component, characterized by the following method steps: a. attaching the first container to the second container by means of the closure device by bringing corresponding threads on the coupling device and on the second container into engagement, b. screwing the closure device to the second container by means of the coupling device up to the coupling end position between the coupling device and the second container, c. continuing the relative rotation between the first container or the closure element and the second container, the cap which is arranged to be secured against rotation relative to the coupling device being separated from the closure element at the predetermined breaking point, d. further continuing the relative rotation between the first container or the closure element and the second container, the separated cap being connected to the first container by means of a thread which has a rotational direction counter to that of the thread of the coupling device, and the cap thus being unscrewed from the first container, e. forming a fluidic connection between the first and second container via at least one cleared opening in a circumferential wall of the pot-like, at least partially unscrewed cap, f. transferring the first product preparation component from the first to the second container, g. mixing the two product preparation components in the first and/or second container.
 15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method steps a-e for coupling the two containers can be carried out reversibly, such that the two containers can be analogously decoupled again when the relative rotational direction is reversed according to method steps e-a.
 16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the relative rotation between the fastening sleeve and the coupling device about the axis of the closure device is limited to a range of rotation of less than 360° by mutually corresponding rotation stop elements being provided on the fastening sleeve and the coupling device, which rotation stop elements allow a relative rotation only between an initial stop position and an end stop position of the corresponding rotation stop elements. 